Billions allocated, results missing: Lawmakers question PSDP execution and climate project performance

Serious concerns arose during the 19th meeting of the Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination

Islamabad: Serious concerns arose during the 19th meeting of the Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination regarding delays in the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP), weak spending capacity, and unclear delivery of climate-related projects. Officials admitted planning gaps, funding inefficiencies, and heavy reliance on borrowing, while lawmakers demanded accountability and transparency in environmental projects across Pakistan.

A heated discussion took place during the 19th meeting of the Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, where lawmakers and officials openly raised concerns over delays in development planning, weak execution of climate projects, and the overall performance of the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP). The meeting highlighted serious questions about how public money is planned, allocated, and spent on environmental and climate related initiatives.

The Acting Chair Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro strongly criticized the delayed submission of the PSDP, stating that it should have been presented much earlier for proper review and discussion. The delay was described as a major administrative failure, with concerns that key decisions were being made without timely parliamentary oversight. In response, the concerned minister accepted responsibility and assured the committee of cooperation, acknowledging that accountability lies with the ministry.

During the briefing, officials revealed major financial pressure on the federal development budget. It was explained that a large portion of national tax revenue is consumed by debt servicing and provincial transfers, leaving very limited fiscal space for federal development projects. As a result, PSDP funding depends heavily on borrowing and non tax revenue sources. Officials also admitted that in previous years, billions of rupees allocated for development could not be fully spent due to limited implementation capacity, raising concerns about inefficiency and poor project execution.

Despite these challenges, several major climate and environmental initiatives were discussed under PSDP. One of the key projects is the Up-scaled Green Pakistan Project, which focuses on plantation, forest protection, and environmental restoration, including the Clean Air Islamabad initiative. The project also follows a shared funding model between the federal and provincial governments.

Another major initiative is the long delayed Botanical Garden project, spread over hundreds of acres, which had remained inactive for years due to legal disputes but is now being revived with dedicated funding. The committee was also briefed on efforts to upgrade air quality monitoring systems through international standard laboratories, aimed at improving pollution tracking and environmental data accuracy.

Officials also highlighted a new youth focused “Green Entrepreneurship” initiative, designed to support university graduates in launching climate related startups through small grants and private sector investment partnerships. Alongside this, the ministry is hiring technical experts in specialized environmental fields and developing new systems such as GIS based forest monitoring and urban planning strategies in collaboration with international organizations.

Further discussions covered completed and ongoing environmental monitoring projects, including upgrades to water quality testing laboratories and mobile testing units, as well as a biosafety system linked to genetically modified organisms. These projects aim to strengthen environmental regulation and public health safety across multiple regions.

International financial coordination was also reviewed, including climate-related funding linked to global institutions and policy frameworks such as green budgeting systems. Officials explained that projects are now categorized based on environmental impact to ensure alignment with climate goals and international commitments.

At the end of the session, the committee demanded a detailed report on water testing laboratories and questioned the gap between infrastructure development and actual public service delivery, noting that despite large-scale funding, citizens still face issues like water quality and environmental pollution. Lawmakers emphasized that real-world results must match the scale of investment being made.